Conservation Commission delays vote on Billerica power plant

Chloe Gotsis

Friday

Feb 27, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2009 at 8:50 PM

The Conservation Commission has delayed a vote on the proposed Billerica Energy Center power plant after proponents presented the commission with changes — including revisions in plans for gas line maintenance and steps to minimize wetlands destruction.

The Conservation Commission has delayed a vote on the proposed Billerica Energy Center power plant, after proponents presented the commission with changes — including revisions in plans for gas line maintenance and steps to minimize wetlands destruction.

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Commissioners balked at voting at the Feb. 25 hearing, saying the changes were new to them and prompted unanswered questions including how much wetland would be affected, the number of and cost of turbines called for, and the details of a final site plan.

“Not having this in hand put the commission at a disadvantage,” said Commission Chairman Jo Ann Giovino, at the meeting — the second in a public hearing on the proposed, 348-megawatt peaking plant.

Gionvino said, by handing the commission new information, proponents were putting the commission in an “awkward position.”

“You aren’t allowing us to look at moving the spine of your project,” said Giovino.

The hearing drew a large crowd including Billerica and neighboring towns, many of whom have expressed opposition to the plant – proposed for a North Billerica site – since it was first unveiled two years ago.

Proponents, including representatives from Montgomery Energy and Epsilon Associates, touted potential benefits to the town and region, and noted that the state Facilities Siting Board granted tentative approval pending review Feb. 12 of transcripts from that hearing.

The commission is concerned that the plan calls for tearing down trees and disrupting wetlands and other vegetation during construction both of the facility and its pipeline.

Some commissioners questioned some aspects of the plan, including why the number of turbines cannot be reduced from six to four. Ted Barton, managing environmental consultant for Epsilon Associates, said scaling back to four turbines would not be too expensive.

Audience members voiced deep skepticism.

“Let’s get a detailed plan of what’s going on and what’s coming down,” said Ed Bunker, a member of Billerica Watchers, a citizens’ group opposing the plant. “Every time I go to a meeting, it’s something new. Please be aware there’s a lot of things coming down the road.”

The plant’s proposed site is on Town Farm Lane, on 16-acres of a 134-acre parcel owned by Baker Commodities, bordering the towns of Tewksbury and Chelmsford. The plot is near an auto yard and a rendering plant.

“This plan is totally different than what the state’s looking at,” said Ed Camplese, co-founder of the Billerica Watchers resident. “When they were showing their presentation, I started totaling the number of wetlands moved. There’s 40,000 acres of wetlands.”

But Barton said studies conclude that wildlife in the area will not be affected.

Commissioner Diane DePaso requested calculation of the total number of trees impacted in the entire site area of Baker Commodities, the site set for the plant.

Camplese a said the commission should ask for a complete and final plan, because Montgomery Energy keeps changing their plan for the plant.

Brian Dunn, a consultant for the commission and project manager for Woodard and Curran, said the Epsilon should provide a full site plan of the area and he is still waiting for outstanding information on storm water impact.

“They really should be presenting to you in record format, so you are not in the position of designing the project,” said Dunn.

Both Camplese and fellow Billerica Watchers member Jeanne Landers suggested the commission obtain legal counsel to advise them as the Planning Board has recently done.

“If your decision does come down and you deny this, you’ll be challenged in the Supreme Court,” said Camplese.

Stephen Lentine, attorney for Montgomery Energy, said the proponents are still meeting with the town’s Board of Health, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board and are waiting for the results of an environmental impact statement.

Numerous town officials and state lawmakers have spoken in opposition to the plant, including many from Billerica, Wilmington, Chelmsford, Tewksbury and Andover.

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